Issue Position: Strengthening Baltimore's Neighborhoods

Issue Position

Baltimore is only as strong as its neighborhoods, and sustaining vibrant neighborhoods is the key to the City's future. Fortunately, we have a strong network of community groups in place in many neighborhoods. These groups provide excellent starting points for strengthening our community. But they cannot regrow neighborhoods on their own -- they need and deserve support from government and elected officials. Brooke believes that our government should always be focused on strengthening our communities.

If elected, she will work to:

Pass Laws to Reform the Baltimore Liquor Board. In Baltimore, one street corner can make or break a neighborhood. Responsible liquor license owners play an important role in Baltimore, but owners of "problem" bars need to be held accountable. Brooke has devoted a large part of her pro bono law practice to helping Baltimore community associations fight dangerous bars that threaten the character and safety of their neighborhoods. Through this work, she has recognized that the way the Baltimore City Liquor Board distributes liquor licenses is flawed and does not serve the community's needs. A Maryland legislative audit released in March 2013 determined that the Baltimore City Liquor Board routinely fails to follow State liquor law, invents its own informal practices and doesn't follow requirements for including community members in decisions that affect them. As a State Delegate, Brooke will fight for Liquor Board reform by (1) meeting regularly with communities in the 46th district to learn about their Liquor Board concerns and to discuss solutions; (2) introducing and supporting legislation to clarify current State law that gives Baltimore's communities a role in Liquor Board hearings and appeals; (3) working with Baltimore City Liquor Board employees to improve efficiency in the agency's daily practices and protect against corruption.
Clean Up Dangerous Corners and Vacant Housing: Brooke believes we should be doing more to crack down on slumlords and promote more rapid, responsible development of vacant properties. In the past few years, several proposals have been raised to change the property tax structure for vacant and blighted properties, charging higher tax rates on those who do not maintain their properties instead of giving them the perverse incentive of lower taxes as the value of their holdings deteriorates. Some of these proposals would require support from the Maryland General Assembly before the City could implement them. As a Delegate, Brooke will work with City leaders to find innovative policy solutions and to collaborate with State agencies to turn problematic properties into renovated homes that contribute to the City's tax base.
Make our neighborhoods greener and cleaner: Trees are vital to the well-being of our communities. Not only do they beautify our neighborhoods, but they improve public health and the environment as well. Trees have a measurable impact on public health by decreasing the fine particulate pollution that can trigger health problems. They can help us clean up the Inner Harbor by filtering stormwater runoff, and can reduce the effects of climate change by cooling our streets and neighborhoods. The Baltimore Neighborhoods Indicators report has listed many neighborhoods in District 46 as some of the least-forested areas in the City. Increasing tree coverage in these areas and the rest Baltimore must be a priority of the City and the State. Brooke has worked to repopulate the vanishing tree canopy in Fell's Point and surrounding neighborhoods. In the General Assembly, Brooke will fight for State resources to help repopulate our dying tree canopy and fully implement the Climate Action Plan for the City.

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